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Iraqi farmers receive donation of agricultural equipment

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Members of the U.S. Army recently delivered farm quipment to farmers in Iraq.

Members of the U.S. Army recently delivered a number of pieces of agricultural equipment to farmers in northwestern Iraq.

According to the branch's website, two tractors and two combines were given to farmers in Sununi, Iraq, with the hope that doing so may help improve crop production. The U.S. Provincial Reconstruction team has planned on trying to donate the equipment since September after hearing that producers in the area lacked the machinery.

Lt. Col. Robert Bensburg, who is a member of PRT, said that many in the Ninewa Province - which includes Sununi - rely on farming in order to make a living. About 80 percent of the area's economic base relies on agriculture.

"We thought it would make a very important contribution if we could support that industry by purchasing these tractors for them," Bensburg said.

According to a recent progress report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, an expert from that agency is also in the province in order to help officials and farmers build greenhouses, which could extend the growing season for the area.